North Gyeongsang Province, Pohang launch K-Graphene commercialization body, unveil industry roadmap

North Gyeongsang Province and Pohang launched the K-Graphene Commercialization Consortium at the Nano Convergence Technology Institute conference hall Monday, marking a joint push to advance graphene technology and build an industrial ecosystem around it.

The launch ceremony drew officials from central government ministries, research institutions and industry, including North Gyeongsang Province Vice Governor for Economic Affairs Yang Geum-hee; Pohang Mayor Park Yong-seon; Pohang City Council Speaker Kim Cheol-su; Ministry of Economy and Finance Super-Innovation Economy Task Force head Ji Gwang-cheol; Postech Vice President Jeong Gyu-yeol; and Na Ju-young, chairman of the Pohang Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The consortium was formed to help member companies collectively overcome the barriers they face in commercializing graphene and to foster collaboration across the industry.

Going forward, the body will connect materials suppliers with end-user companies to co-develop application products tailored to market demand. It will also draw on the expertise, facilities and equipment of Postech and the Nano Convergence Technology Institute to support process validation and product development.

Twenty-six companies are currently participating, including materials and equipment firms such as Graphene Square, alongside companies in application sectors including battery, biotech and AI.

At the ceremony, Pohang unveiled a graphene industry development roadmap built around four strategic pillars: upgrading the industrial ecosystem, establishing a validation and standards infrastructure, expanding a demand-driven ecosystem, and creating a globally leading innovation environment.

Participating companies — including MCK Tech, Alpha Graphene and A-Varistor Company — then shared case studies on graphene application product development and commercialization, highlighting the technology's market potential.

The 26 member companies, North Gyeongsang Province, Pohang and the Nano Convergence Technology Institute also agreed to cooperate on graphene commercialization and industrial ecosystem development.

A key goal is to have graphene designated as a national advanced strategic technology, laying the groundwork for state-level support. The partners also plan to attract companies to the area and expand the industrial ecosystem as part of efforts to establish a "Pohang Graphene Valley."

"We will use the launch of the K-Graphene Commercialization Consortium as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between companies and research institutions, support them in translating that collaboration into tangible business results, and grow Pohang into South Korea's hub for graphene commercialization," Pohang Mayor Park Yong-seon said.